Linseed Mucilage

Abstract

Under laboratory conditions the mucilage is unattacked by the digestive enzymes, and even when fed to a non-ruminant animal 75 per cent. can be shown to pass through unchanged. As far as such a point can be demonstrated by laboratory experiments, it is however probable that the mucilage is attacked by intestinal bacteria, and, in ruminants especially, largely broken up in this way, with the evolution of gases and certain volatile acids among other products. This behaviour while unexpected at the beginning of the investigation is not inconsistent with its chemical character as a hydrated cellulose. A similar case is perhaps found in the substance agar-agar, which is readily attacked by bacteria, but is stated by Armstrong in his article on “Carbohydrates” in Allen's Organic Analysis to be practically indigestible by the human organism.